Strictly Come Dancing 2018 line-up: Katie Piper and Joe Sugg lead final confirmed stars
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2018 has finally confirmed all of the 15 celebrities who will be donning sequins and taking to the floor when the show returns. So, who is in the final line-up?
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Strictly Come Dancing have slowly been revealing who will compete on the BBC contest since last Monday.
The famous faces were unveiled on The One Show, BBC Breakfast and Chris Evans’ radio show, to name a few.
Prior to the big reveal, the celebrities had been given cheese codenames to keep their identities a secret.
Now, fans know who the 15 stars will be strutting their stuff in the ballroom.
Katie Piper
Katie, 34, was the first celeb to be announced as she was named on BBC Breakfast.
The philanthropist and television presenter said: “I feel so privileged and excited to be part of my favourite show on TV.
“I already know how much of an amazing experience it will be for me and I can’t wait to show my girls some of my new dance moves.
“I’m nervous to put on my dancing shoes but can’t wait to learn a new skill and have the Strictly tan and makeover.”
Faye Tozer
Steps member Faye was declared as the second Strictly star in an appearance on The One Show.
The 42-year-old said: “Being on Strictly is literally a dream come true! It’s everything my 9 year old self ever wanted from showbiz and I’m going to relish every moment!”
Faye has shot down those would critics her participation on account of her previous dance experience.
She declared: "I'll think you'll find a few of us have, and that's what makes it an interesting competition."
Danny John-Jules
The Red Dwarf actor was unveiled alongside Faye on The One Show.
He said: He said: “Having spent the last few months on two wheels motorcycling around South America in pink leathers, I’m absolutely delighted to be getting back on two feet and into something more comfortable like glittery spandex.”
The 57-year-old has already demonstrated his moves years ago when he appeared in a Wham! video, dancing alongside George Michael.
Joe Sugg
Joe, a YouTuber with millions of followers, was announced as a contestant on BBC Radio One.
The 26-year-old said: "I'm honestly so chuffed to be involved in the show this year! Not going to lie, I’m very nervous about it, it's totally out of my comfort zone and I know it will be a huge challenge but that's what life is all about I guess.
"Funnily enough I’m writing this statement whilst on the way to surprise my grandparents with the news. They are going to be so happy which will definitely make up for any embarrassment or cringe caused by my questionable rhythm.”
Vick Hope
The Capital FM host was revealed to be the fifth contestant in an announcement on the radio station.
Vick, 26, said on the show: “What an opportunity - I am a fan of the show and honoured to be part of it. I love dancing, I used to do contemporary dancing, I used to be a tree, a rock.
“I don’t really know my waltz from my rhumba, latin, ballroom - I’m out of my comfort zone.”
Graeme Swann
BBC Radio 2 confirmed that cricketer Graeme would be putting his best foot forward for Strictly.
The 39-year-old is the fifth cricketer to sign-up and has explained his fellow sportsmen influenced his decision to say yes.
Graeme said: “I was keeping it under wraps, I thought it was one of the reasons in the end, I thought ‘come on bite the bullet and do it’, they also came back with such huge smiles on their faces.
“I’m hoping to follow in the footsteps of the cricketers who’ve come before me who’ve either won the whole thing or had an absolute ball on the show. Keeping it under wraps from my kids has been nearly impossible; they are huge fans of the show and I can’t wait to see their faces when I tell them."
Dr Ranj Singh
The dishy doctor was declared the seventh celebrity for the dance contest on This Morning.
After the big reveal, he said: "I’ve been practising. Oh my gosh, I’m shaking. I’m actually shaking.
"It’s actually been really, really recent but even so it’s been so hard because you’ve been sworn to secrecy."
Dr Ranj, 29, follows in the footsteps of his colleague Ruth Langsford who competed on the programme last year.
Stacey Dooley
Investigative journalist Stacey’s participation was teased in a series of videos posted on Strictly’s Instagram story.
Discussing her involvement in the show, Stacey said: "It’s happening! I'm taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year and my mother is going to explode.
"2018 has already been such an incredible year for me, I’ve done some amazing things and I’m excited to add ‘becoming a dancing GENIUS’ to the list!
Ashley Roberts
Ashley, 36, was revealed as the ninth contestant on BBC Radio 2 by the Breakfast Show’s host, Chris Evans.
She confessed in BBC statement: “I am beyond excited and grateful to be part of the Strictly family!
“I’m going to put my heart and soul into this new adventure and can’t wait to have fun with the team! Bring on the sequins, glitz and glamour!”
She also let slip that rehearsals would begin this week.
Kate Silverton
The BBC newsreader was unveiled as the tenth contestant on The One Show, where she admitted she had “zero” dance experience.
Kate, 48, added in a statement: “I’m excited to confirm that I will be swapping the newsroom for the ballroom and joining this year’s wonderful Strictly family.
“It’s something of a departure for a news journalist, shifting focus from the headlines to my hemlines and I suspect the only serious element of my life over the coming months will be in training hard and figuring out the foxtrot… but I am so looking forward to the fun, laughter and all the challenges ahead.”
Seann Walsh
Funny man Seann was announced alongside Kate on The One Show.
The 32-year-old divulged his experience had also been quite limited.
Strictly Come Dancing: Lauren Steadman joins 2018 lineup
“Having seen videos of me dancing on friends’ phones from the night before, it’s safe to say I’m petrified but also so excited.
“I’m really looking forward to the lifts, the Lycra and the laughs, although as Craig would probably say 'dancing is no laughing matter dahhhhling…’”
Lee Ryan
Blue member Lee had been hotly tipped to join the Strictly line-up and it was finally confirmed on Loose Women.
On the show, he told the presenters: "I was nervous, even to say yes, very much so."
He also spoke on his dance experience with Blue, declaring that he never really had any.
The 35-year-old said: ”I never used to [dance]. I used to run out my dance lessons and hide in the signing lessons. Have you ever seen a blue concert? We lean and there is maybe a shoulder or two."
Lauren Steadman
Lauren, a Paralympian, was unveiled as the thirteenth celeb to compete as confirmed on The One Show.
The 25-year-old admitted she had “loved” the programme since she was young.
She also said that she probably wouldn’t be using a prosthetic when she appears on the show.
"I don’t think I will because I don’t use it in most things. I think maybe with a spin it might fly off somewhere. I’m not sure it would be as elegant as I need it to be for ballroom.”
Charles Venn
The former EastEnders star was announced on Good Morning Britain as the penultimate star who will be taking to the floor.
Charles, 45, said in a statement: “It truly is a pleasure to be a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, to be associated with a show that has such a huge following excites and scares me in equal measure!
“Dancing on Strictly is going to be quite a challenge but life’s all about testing yourself so there’s lots to look forward to, let the games begin..!”
Susannah Constantine
Fashion presenter Susannah was unveiled alongside Charles on Good Morning Britain as the fifteenth and final celebrity who will be taking part.
The 56-year-old said: “I hope to prove pigs can fly (dance). Sick with nerves and jangling with excitement.”
She added: “And knowing I’m starting from a very low bar, and that’s fine because I can only improve.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year.